Effects of irrigation fluid temperature during flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy on postoperative fever and shivering: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background Flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy is used to treat urinary tract calculi, but postoperative complications include shivering, fever and infection. To investigate the effects of irrigation fluid temperature on complications. Methods This randomized controlled trial included 120 consecutive patients undergoing flexible at Urology Department, Suining Central Hospital, Sichuan, China between January 2017 July 2019. Patients were 1:1:1 into three groups (17 °C, 27 °C or 37 °C). Primary outcome was incidence (body > 37.5 °C) within 48 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes shivering during recovery from anesthesia, white blood cell count (WBC), serum procalcitonin (PCT) suspected infection (temperature 38.5 PCT 0.5 µg/L). Results There 108 patients, group, n = 36; 35; 37), received analyzed. Age, gender distribution, body mass index, ASA grade, stone burden, preoperative creatinine, core volume did not differ significantly groups. 17 exhibited significant differences in incidences (38.9% vs. 17.1% 13.5%) (22.2% 5.7% 2.7%) ( p < 0.05 for all pairwise comparisons). no difference WBC, group compared with group. One case each flash pulmonary edema bleeding occurred Conclusion Warming can reduce further studies are needed determine optimal temperature. Trial registration The registered Chinese Clinical Trials Registry allocated as ChiCTR2000031683. 07/04/2020 this a retrospective registration.